Philips DS9800W

Zitat: Pro: + Intriguing looks + punchy, unified and nicely balanced sound via AirPlay Contra: - Lose composure when playing via a physical connection - not the most detailed

Zitat: Pro: + Attractive design + Detailed and punchy sound + Balanced delivery Contra: - Finicky AirPlay setup - Dock is only for charging purposes It´s time for a verdict. Aesthetically, we love the Fidelio SoundSphere´s radical and curvaceous profile. The combination of chrome accents and a piano black finish should complement most living spaces, and it is apparent the speakers´ build quality wasn´t compromised either. Kudos also goes out to Philips´ attention to detail for engineering a pair of truthful drivers with a commendable soundstage and pinpoint stereo imaging. However, let´s remember that this pair of docking speakers isn´t as ´wireless´ as they´re made out to be. There is a power cable (two, if you consider the ´dumb´ dock as well), and the thickest cable meant for the binding posts. Philips decision to go with Apple´s AirPlay has its share of pros and cons as well. All is good if you manage to nail the setup process the first time round. Failing to do so also means that you´ll have to repeat the setup procedure from scratch. In our case, it took us a moment to get it right for the IP address reflected in the user manual was incorrect. The DS9800W´s lack of an LCD status display doesn´t help things either. Acoustically, the Fidelio coasted the lower bit-rate clips with reasonable bravado. There was a decent amount of clarity with a full but not overwhelming bass presence. It was an entertaining performance all round, although there were instances of minor blurring at the higher ranges. The speakers kicked into gear when we tried the higher fidelity soundtracks. The curved-back cabinets and elevated tweeters manifested every crash, tinkle, crunch, and boom with much gusto. Their rigid construction also ensured vibrations and distortions were minimized with the volume hiked up. Compatibility-wise, Philips has obviously tailored the Fidelio SoundSphere for newer Apple devices with Wi-Fi capabilities. Older gizmos, such as the iPod classic for example, will have to rely on the more traditional 3.5mm audio jack. On that note, a functional dock would be more practical in that sense, like the one found on Bowers & Wilkins´ Zeppelin Air for instance. To Philips´ credit, however, the charging dock does support the bulkier iPad since it isn´t constrained like other ´fixed´ docking speakers. In summary, Philips has crafted a fine specimen with the DS9800W that delivers great audio and looks swanky, but if you can live without AirPlay, then perhaps you might want to consider cheaper alternatives such as Monitor Audio´s i-deck 200 which offers a reasonably full and balanced delivery as well.

Zitat: Pro: + Attractive design + Detailed and punchy sound + Balanced delivery Contra: - Finicky AirPlay setup - Dock is only for charging purposes It´s time for a verdict. Aesthetically, we love the Fidelio SoundSphere´s radical and curvaceous profile. The combination of chrome accents and a piano black finish should complement most living spaces, and it is apparent the speakers´ build quality wasn´t compromised either. Kudos also goes out to Philips´ attention to detail for engineering a pair of truthful drivers with a commendable soundstage and pinpoint stereo imaging. However, let´s remember that this pair of docking speakers isn´t as ´wireless´ as they´re made out to be. There is a power cable (two, if you consider the ´dumb´ dock as well), and the thickest cable meant for the binding posts. Philips decision to go with Apple´s AirPlay has its share of pros and cons as well. All is good if you manage to nail the setup process the first time round. Failing to do so also means that you´ll have to repeat the setup procedure from scratch. In our case, it took us a moment to get it right for the IP address reflected in the user manual was incorrect. The DS9800W´s lack of an LCD status display doesn´t help things either. Acoustically, the Fidelio coasted the lower bit-rate clips with reasonable bravado. There was a decent amount of clarity with a full but not overwhelming bass presence. It was an entertaining performance all round, although there were instances of minor blurring at the higher ranges. The speakers kicked into gear when we tried the higher fidelity soundtracks. The curved-back cabinets and elevated tweeters manifested every crash, tinkle, crunch, and boom with much gusto. Their rigid construction also ensured vibrations and distortions were minimized with the volume hiked up. Compatibility-wise, Philips has obviously tailored the Fidelio SoundSphere for newer Apple devices with Wi-Fi capabilities. Older gizmos, such as the iPod classic for example, will have to rely on the more traditional 3.5mm audio jack. On that note, a functional dock would be more practical in that sense, like the one found on Bowers & Wilkins´ Zeppelin Air for instance. To Philips´ credit, however, the charging dock does support the bulkier iPad since it isn´t constrained like other ´fixed´ docking speakers. In summary, Philips has crafted a fine specimen with the DS9800W that delivers great audio and looks swanky, but if you can live without AirPlay, then perhaps you might want to consider cheaper alternatives such as Monitor Audio´s i-deck 200 which offers a reasonably full and balanced delivery as well.

Zitat: + Super Klang, Airplay, hochwertige Verarbeitung - Hoher Preis, iPad wackelt im Dock

Zitat: Das Fidelio SoundSphere von Philips ist ein Funk-Boxensystem mit Airplay. Es läuft damit problemlos bei den Apple-Mobilen mit Apple-Lossless-Übertragung. Die Lautsprecher klingen knackig, bassstark und dynamisch-pegelfest.